The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1866. REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 146, 23 August 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1866. REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

(From the Provincial Government Gazette, Aug. 13.) Waimea West, North Division : Mr. Tiioitbu_j. .— -Very good progress has been made in this school during the last two years. The proportion of scholars who have a knowledge of fractions is far above the average, while the handwriting is unusually good. The reading, however, though fluent enough, struck me as being too loud (by no means a -commoiL-fault in our schools). Waimea West, Village: Mr. "W. Higgin, Master. — This, is a rather numerous mixed school, in which the younger, classes are very carefully taught by Mrs. Eban, the assistant mistress. The whole of the master's time can, therefore, be devoted to the elder scholars, who, however, though improving, do not yet come up to the standard of our best schools in anything -but arithmetic, which is very • successfully taught. The reading is generally indifferent, and the handwriting slovenly. I confess that I am somewhat at a loss to account for this backwardness, as the present masteris exceedingly painstaking, and the average' attendance of the' children has been very high, amounting to as much as 8S per cent, during the last quarter. The frequent change of masters, and - consequently of system, may partly explain the matter. Upper Moutere: Mr. Cook, Master. — I see no reason for altering the opinion that I have formerly expressed as to the, general excellence of this school. The numbers are, however, evidently outgrowing the teaching power of a single master, no less than 58 scholars being present at my last examination. With such numbers it is hardly to be wondered at that a high standard of attainment is not attempted, or that the first class are beginning to show some tokens of their progress being stunted, more noticeably in arithmetic. Lower Moutere: Mr. Kobso-s, Master. — Though the attendance here is less than it was two years ago, and the higher classes are evidently composed of much younger children than formerly, the teacher does not appear to me in any degree responsible for this falling off, as the scholars who do attend are throughout remarkably well taught and well behaved. Mr. Bobson is, in truth, worthy of a field where there would be more scope for his abilities, both as an organiser, and a teacher, than can be afforded by so small a school as his present one. Motueka, Ist Division: Mr. Wilson, Master.— -In this school, as at Lower Moutere, far less good is being effected than would be the case were the scholars allowed to remain at school even as long as they were formerly. The contrast between the mere children who now make np the Ist class, Avith the well-trained boys and girls of 14 and upwards whom I used to meet there 'some three* years ago, is -very striking, and cannot but be disheartening to a teacher who understands his work so thoroughly as Mr. "Wilson does. lam not without hopes, however, that the substitution of the present handsome and well arranged buildings for the former small and inconvenient schoolrooms, will have some effect in bringing a larger and more continuous attendance to both divisions of this school. Motueka, 2nd Division,' Mrs. Homa*_*., Mistress.— The .children being periodically drafted from this division to the upper school at a very early age, but little is attempted beyond "the elements of reading and slate writing. These are carefully taught, and the scholars are very orderly.

. . Pangdtotara : Mr. Bi_ge _£M>st_*\— This, though one ' of. our smaller ;,scho6ls, is very . 'successfully : taught by -.the /pre sent master. I was well pleased with the care shown in . keeping. the classes at work simultaneously, ancl with the perfect order maintained,- -with. out any sacrifice of. work. .The, geography and arithmetic may be mentioned as being exceptionally, good. ' Riwaka: Mr. Gilpin. — This school sustains a great loss hy the resignation of its present teacher, to whose singular tact and unwearied exertions, extending over a period of many years, the very efficient state of. the school, which I have formerly pointed out, and which still continues, is entirely due. _fo__3&_— This is one of the few schools in which little or no progress has been made during the last two years. The teacher, who has held the appointment during that period, has : left one of the most backward of our country schools pretty much as he found it. But it will be a matter of some difficulty for the ablest teacher to do much in a district where, partly from bad roads and floods, though in * a -still greater degree from -the carelessness of parents, • the scholars do not attend, on an average, three days a week If - a school is manifestly languishing, the true remedy is not to withdraw the scholars, hut, after a reasonable trial of what can be effected by regular attendance, to remove the master who cannot then plead that he has been unfairly dealt with. Long Plain, Takaica; Mrs. M'Do2_.ld, Mistress.— l was, gratified, on my last visit, to see the progress that had been made id this little; school, which has been established only IS months. Though little is attempten beyond the rudiments of reading and writing, these are carefully taught, and as the scholars are all very young, the school will meet the requirements of the neighborhood for some time to come. Motupipi : Mr. Eat, Master. — Clifton continues to take a high, rank among our school?, in respect of both discipline and learning. The reading of the younger scholars is particularly good, the handwriting and arithmetic being also of more than average merit. CoUingwood. — This school, which had been falling off for some time, both in numbers and in other respects, was closed when I last visited the Massacre Bay Districts. It has since been reopened and reorganized by the .Rev. H. Haleombe, but too recently to give me an opportunity of reporting on its present condition. Lam, &c, ~W. C. Hodgson, Inspector of Schools.